The Tram to Bondi Beach

by Libby Hathorn, Julie Vivas (Illustrator)

Book by Hathorn, Libby

Genres: Picture Books, Australia, Childrens, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Libby Hathorn is an Australian writer who produces poetry, picture books, drama, novels, short stories, and nonfiction for children, young adults, and adults. Best known in the United States for her critically acclaimed novel Thunderwith, Hathorn has created works ranging from serious stories of troubled youth to lighthearted, fast-paced comedies. She writes of powerful female characters in her novels for junior readers, such as the protagonists in All about Anna and The Extraordinary Magics of Emma McDade; or of lonely, misunderstood teenagers in novels such as Feral Kid, Love Me Tender, and Valley under the Rock. As Maurice Saxby noted in St. James Guide to Children's Writers, "In her novels for teenagers especially, Hathorn exposes, with compassion, sensitivity, and poetry the universal and ongoing struggle of humanity to heal hurts, establish meaningful relationships, and to learn to accept one's self—and ultimately—those who have wronged us."

Reviews

[AFMasten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ran across this book in the bookstore of the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney. Surprised it was about a newsboy, so we bought it. A gentle but accurate story about the sorts of things that happened to newsboys. And we should know. After we bought it, at that library, the author of Crying the News: A History of the America's Newsboys sent off the final corrections of his book!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful Australian pictures book, possibly set pre WW2. Loved the language and the pictures. The only problem was that I felt the names were not authentic for the time period.

[Vincent DiGirolamo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A much-loved little story about a novice paper boy. Watercolor illustrations as fresh today as they were 25 years ago.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated historical story of trams and selling newspapers.
Highlights a lovely part of Australia's history.
Gorgeous illustrations by Julie Vivas.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The historical context mentioned in the blurb is absent from the story. An era is shown, but no year given. If one doesn't know where Bondi Beach is, one might think this anywhere with trams. The depression is only relevant in that this child, age 9, is selling newspapers... perhaps as the only source of spending money for himself, perhaps to actually help the family.

Illustrations are a delight... I do like Vivas' work.

Read on openlibrary.org.

[Jill Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is truly a great children's picture book, well worthy of the 25th Anniversary Edition Book of the Year by The Children's Book Council of Australia. Another treasured share with my grand daughters book that gives an insight into a forgotten world of paper runs and tram conductors. I loved it!